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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 12, 2021
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“We do the show to have the quality of the horse judged against other good horses and when they become famous or their value is evident, then they’re purchased or bred into famous stallions,” Knowles said. The babies will not be the only horses on display, as this will also serve as one of the penultimate shows leading into the Arabian Horse Association’s National Championship at the end of October, when the National Breeders Final used to be held. “We decided to get away from October and move towards September because we didn’t want to compete with the national championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma,” said Knowles, who will also be a judge at the national championship this year. Knowles said this gives breeders and owners a chance to purchase horses ahead of the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show in February. “A lot of people want to get a jump on it,” he said. “A lot of breeders fly in to watch the babies, talk to the trainers and see who they’re going to pick and who they’re going to get ready to send to the big Scottsdale show in February.” Seeing starry eyed foals and show horses are not the only things that excite the staff behind the Arabian National Breeder Finals. Breeders and organizers look forward to sleeping in on show days or enjoy the
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stellar collection with such energy for our four-year anniversary.” The “Summer Spectacular” is on display through Saturday, October 2. Royse formerly curated art for the Monorchid and several other Downtown Phoenix galleries. “I was with Monorchid for almost six years,” she said. “Then gentrification took over. The condos and restaurants came in and it was less about art. Scottsdale has always had a very supportive weekly artwalk. “In Phoenix, artwalk is once a month, on First Fridays. It’s not enough time for people to really support the arts. I looked at a lot of different areas for my gallery. It’s been really nice here. We have a weekly art walk. I’m bringing contemporary art to Old Town Scottsdale.”
A trainer handles one of the halter horses, or horses that are presented on a leash rather than ridden. (Courtesy of Lysa Roman)
morning, which is a rarity in the horse show world. “One of the crazy things about horse shows is that we’re up at about 6, 5 or 4 o’clock in the morning getting ready for the first class at seven or eight in the morning,” Knowles said. “Now they can come to the farms in the community, we can present horses to be marketed and sold and we can meet and greet new people by having the shows in the afternoon.” Because of its later start, Knowles has noticed that this show is one of the more relaxed events, which is particularly im-
Royse said she is seeing a slow transition in Scottsdale away from western art. “New gallery owners are coming in and different business owners,” she said. “A lot of young professionals are starting to collect.” It’s important not to be intimidated by collecting, and to visit art galleries, she said. Royse Contemporary works with local artists with whom she always wanted to work. “It’s been a fun transition up to Scottsdale,” she said. Royse did the best she could during the pandemic, which started during her prime season. She pivoted to bringing art to her clients. She curated artwork, loaded her car, hung artwork, helped frame it and “do the whole deal.” “That’s how I was able to maintain for my artists and space,” she said. “I had private appointments, which were very lim-
portant these days as people have begun to feel safer going out in public and reacclimating to the world of horses. “I think people are getting loose enough but they all sort of act like they’re catching up,” he said. “They’ve been away from touching horses and interacting with some of the new famous stallions and so they’re thirsty for knowledge.” Knowles also hopes that this show will spark an interest in younger attendees, much like the one that was spawned in him about 45 years ago when he toured a friend’s Arabian horse farm. Knowles also noted that the Arabian
ited, with clients I knew. I’m already a caregiver, so I was extra careful and cautious.” A former arts writer and artist, the Chandler resident’s skills are limited to painting walls and finishing projects with her three children. Royse was not raised around the arts. She picked up on it on her own to escape her tumultuous childhood. “When I decided to go to college, it was something I enjoyed,” said Royse, who studied art history at ASU. “I didn’t want a studio degree. When I finished my degree, contemporary art was buzzing in Downtown Phoenix. I wanted to help artists. “I’d help them do social media, improve their websites and get more exposure. I continue to do that. It’s just through my gallery space now.” Also with Royse Contemporary, she invites students to visit her gallery so she can try to keep them interested in art.
National Breeders Final is more than a show and a competition where the best in show can win $100,000 and the title of “Finals Champion.” “It’s also a big trade fair,” he said. “We’re all doing business and buying things we need for the season with the exhibitors in the big exhibitor halls.” Knowles admits that the event may seem elitist but stressed that everyone is encouraged to come and see some of the world’s most beautiful steeds. “We would be excited for everyone to see what we’re doing and have them with us,” Knowles said. “You should never feel it’s elitist, it’s always about being open and sharing our love for the Arabian horse.” He also hopes that this event will further the momentum building for February’s Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, which is the largest Arabian horse show in the world. “I think February will be the largest and most energized horse show we’ve seen in several years,” Knowles said.
If you go
What: Arabian National Breeder Finals When: Sept. 15-18 Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road Cost: Free Info: scottsdaleshow.com Royse hopes they will love art as much as she does. “A lot of times they pick my brain as they explore the gallery,” she said. “I had a group from the University of El Paso recently. They were doing a Bisbee residency and they came down to Scottsdale. It was great. “I like to foster people’s passions.”
If you go
Royse Contemporary Marshall Square Complex 7077 E. Main St., Scottsdale 602.810.3449, roysecontemporary.com 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays Noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays Appointments available
